(Source: Canadian Department of National Defence; issued Aug 17, 2018)

The Government of Canada is committed to acquiring or upgrading armament and systems for current and future platforms allowing for more effective naval capabilities and enhancing naval intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms. In August 2018, two contracts for maritime equipment were announced to help support this goal.

Enhancing Capabilities

The Halifax-class frigates possess a number of systems and platforms that respond to various types of threats. The frigates also employ a number of counter-measures to protect themselves. As armament continues to evolve, so must these defense systems.

The Reprogrammable Advance Multimode Shipboard Electronic Countermeasures System (RAMSES) is an electronic attack system that protects the modernized Halifax-class frigates against radio frequency guided missiles. RAMSES employs jamming signals to trick and distract anti-ship missiles (ASM) from hitting the ship. Through a contract with Lockheed Martin Canada, key parts of RAMSES will undergo a comprehensive technology refresh. The contract also secures repair, overhaul, engineering changes, and ongoing support services. This work will ensure the system remains relevant and capable for the life of the Halifax-class frigates.

Along with RAMSES, MASS is an integral part of the anti-ship missile defence suite in the Halifax-class frigates. It is a firing system used to launch decoys to protect vessels against anti-ship missiles guided by radio-frequency, laser, and infrared seekers. The Halifax-class frigates currently possess a two-launcher configuration. Through a contract with Rheinmetall Canada, the Royal Canadian Navy will enhance this configuration to a three-launcher configuration. This will augment the protection of the Canadian multi-role frigates to 360° coverage and improve defensibility from modern threats in a variety of situations.

The Government has committed to significant long-term investment in the Canadian Armed Forces, helping ensure the Royal Canadian Navy is an agile, flexible and responsive naval force that possesses the equipment needed to contribute on behalf of Canada to international operations.

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Government of Canada Makes Long-Term Investments to Protect Canadian Ships and Sailors with Modern and Efficient Equipment

(Source: Canadian Department of National Defence; issued Aug 17, 2018)

ESQUIMALT, B.C. --- The Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the Royal Canadian Navy remains an agile, multi-purpose and responsive naval force. In support of this commitment, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, highlighted the award of two contracts related to maritime equipment today.

The contracts will acquire, upgrade, and sustain defensive systems for the Royal Canadian Navy. These long-term investments will enhance and improve the Royal Canadian Navy capabilities and sustain more than 50 jobs annually for many years to come. The two contracts are as follows:

-- A $94.2-million contract to Lockheed Martin Canada to maintain and overhaul, the Reprogrammable Advance Multimode Shipboard Electronic Countermeasures System (RAMSES).
-- A $21.1-million contract to Rheinmetall Canada to procure and install a third launcher on the frigates, improving the current MASS configuration.

RAMSES is an electronic attack system that protects the modernized Halifax-class frigates against radio frequency guided missiles. It employs jamming signals to track and distract anti-ship missiles from hitting the ship. MASS is an integral part of the anti-ship missile defence suite. It is a firing system used to launch decoys to project vessels against anti-ship missiles guided by radio frequency, laser and infrared seekers.

Both contracts will help naval combat operators continue to protect Canadian ships and sailors with modern and efficient equipment, while helping to bolster our Royal Canadian Navy across its fleets.

Quotes

“These investments in our Royal Canadian Navy will provide our women and men in uniform with what they need for successful missions, and deliver jobs, both here in British Columbia and across Canada for years to come. Our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, promised an agile, multi-purpose Navy and we are delivering on that promise with today’s $115 million investment,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister.

“Our Government is committed to building a more agile, better-equipped military, while ensuring the best value for Canadians. These systems will provide the frigates of the Royal Canadian Navy with the modern equipment they need to do their jobs safely and securely in various environment, at home or abroad,” said Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Disability.

Quick facts

-- The RAMSES contract will be valid until the late 2030s, If all options are exercised, and will ensure maintenance of the Halifax-class frigates’ electronic attack capability.

-- The MASS replaced the obsolete SHIELD system. The installation of a third launcher will enable 360° anti-ship missile defence coverage for the Halifax-class frigates.